As an aside, I find it fascinating when similar sounding names are perceived so differently. Like why is Henry more well-liked (I think?) than Harvey given how similar they sound?
I have often wondered the same thing about old-fashioned girl names that end in -a. How come Nora, Cora, Ella, and Emma are widely loved but no one is bringing back Bertha or Edna?
We have a potential name (Sylvia) that might fall in the "lots of people hate it" group, so I'm definitely not telling people irl and probably not going to poll mmm because we like it enough that we don't really care.
I'm at least happy about the fact that poll shows that it is polarizing. My husband is all "it's not polarity, it's a GREAT name!"
I don't like it, but there are worse names out there.
FWIW, I do not think it is generally a very well-liked name. My BIL wanted to name my nephew Harvey, and every time my SIL brings up this fact, there is a chorus of "Harvey?! Thank God you stopped him!" kind of comments.
This is my big concerns I can guarantee many in our families will think this. Now the question is, do we care? I don't necessarily mind if people don't love our name, but I hate to saddle a kid with a name people HATE.
Both our families disliked both our kids names. IDGAF. They're *OUR* kids KWIM?
It was my grandpa's name, so for me it sits firmly in the old man category. Not bad, but I've never met a young Harvey. I don't think we'd use it because we don't reuse family names.
5-10 years ago I'm sure evvvveryone said this about Henry. Now I know 4 Henry's under the age of 5. I think Harvey could easily be the next Henry.
5-10 years ago I'm sure evvvveryone said this about Henry. Now I know 4 Henry's under the age of 5. I think Harvey could easily be the next Henry.
I do feel like Harvey is a name that could easily start trending, sort of like the old lady names for girls (of which I am a giant fan of btw).
I just checked SSA, and it does seem to be trending. Harvey was in the 900s in 1995 and is now 493. It has jumped from 790 to 493 in the last 2 years along, which seems like pretty strong evidence that it is gaining popularity quickly.
FWIW, dS1 has a not very popular name and it suits him well. If you go this route I'd recommend not telling anyone until after the baby is born and named.
It strikes me as one of those names like Oscar that is relatively popular in the UK but for some reason doesn't get used/gets a lot of hatred in the US.
ETA: I just looked. It's in the top 50 most popular boys names in the UK for 2015.
I lump it in with Earl, Horace, and Wilbur on the name spectrum. If you like "old" names, what about Gus or Barnaby or Jasper?
I don't understand the distinction between the first three names and the last three, are they just names you prefer?
The last three are names on the rise - while starting to get used more and more they aren't overwhelmingly popular, and likely won't be, but still have the same vibe as Harvey IMO. And, yes, I personally like them better. The first three are names that have largely phased out and probably won't be back, though I could see Wilbur make a future push in hipster circles.
FWIW, dS1 has a not very popular name and it suits him well. If you go this route I'd recommend not telling anyone until after the baby is born and named.
Henry is not on the list. My choice is Theodore (Teddy). I think we will go with one of those two unless brilliance strikes with another option.